Method of attaching a bead assembly to a tubular conduit

ABSTRACT

Snap-on bead assemblies for providing blocking walls for the attachment of connectors, and more particularly quick connectors, are disclosed as comprising an open-ended ring member having an outer surface, an inner surface and two extending flanges. The ring members are formed of a resilient material, such as high gauge steel, which allows the ring members to be expanded and positioned over a tubular conduit. In a first embodiment, the flanges (16a) and (16b) project downwardly and embed within depressions (34) formed upon outer surface (32) of the conduit (30) to lock the ring member (10) onto the conduit. In the second embodiment, the flanges (116a) and (116b) project upwardly and the inner surface (112) of the ring member (110) is positioned within a depression (134) formed on the surface (132) of the conduit (130) which locks the ring member (110) onto the conduit (130).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to bead assemblies, and more particularly, tobead assemblies which are attachable to tubular conduits and whichprovide the conduits with blocking walls for abutment by connectorassemblies.

2. Description of Related Art

In the automotive industry, as well as for many other industries, theneed always exist for low cost, reliable and easy to assemblycomponents. This need is especially true with respect to connectorassemblies which detachably join fluid conveying conduits, such as fuelor refrigerant lines. Presently, many connector assemblies, and moreparticularly, many quick connector assemblies, are manufactured suchthat a male conduit is provided with an outwardly projecting bead forabutment by retainer means contained within a female housing. Theconnection between fluid conveying conduits is generally made byinserting the male conduit into the female housing until the snapconnection occurs thereby locking the male conduit within the femalehousing. Many times, however, tubular conduits already placed in use arenot provided with this upwardly projecting bead member. Standardbeadless conduits must, therefore, be provided with a bead member beforethey can be utilized with many connector assemblies. The embodiments ofthe present invention fulfill this need by providing apparatuses whichare attachable to standard tubular conduits thereby converting thestandard conduit to a form which can be utilized with connectorassemblies and, more particularly, with quick connector assemblies.

Accordingly, it is the primary object of the present invention toprovide a standard conduit with an attachable bead member therebyadapting the conduit into one that can be utilized with a connectorassembly and, particularly, with a quick connector assembly.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an attachablebead assembly which can be attached to a tubular conduit quickly andeasily.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide attachablebead assemblies which can be used on tubular conduits which areresistant to welding and gluing.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide bead assemblieswhich are producible at a low cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve the foregoing objects of the present invention, beadassemblies for attachment to fluid conveying conduits are provided whichassist in facilitating the connection of two or more fluid conveyingconduits. A first bead assembly embodiment generally comprises an openended ring member having an outer surface, an inner surface and twoflanges which extend downwardly toward the center of the ring member.The ring member is formed of a resilient material which allows the ringmember to be pried open and positioned upon the conduit. Once the ringmember is positioned over the conduit, the prying tool is disengagedfrom the ring member allowing the ring member to spring back into asubstantially closed position. The ends of the inwardly extendingflanges are embedded in the outer surface of the tubular conduit toprevent lateral movement of the ring member once positioned over theconduit. The flanges provide blocking walls which assist in locking afemale housing over the conduit.

A second bead assembly embodiment generally comprises an open ended ringmember having an outer surface, an inner surface and two flanges whichextend upwardly away from the center of the ring member. Again, the ringmember is formed of a resilient material which allows the ring member tobe pried open and positioned upon the conduit. The outwardly extendingflanges of this second embodiment provide abutment surfaces which assistin locking a female housing over the conduit.

In both embodiments, the ring member is constructed so as to return to aclosed position after being positioned upon the conduit. The engagementforce of the ring member is limited by design. The ring members can onlyclose to the point where the two ends come into abutment. The ringmembers would otherwise overly deform the conduit thereby limiting fluidflow.

Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from reading the detailed description of the preferredembodiments which make reference to the following set of drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional end view of the embodiment of FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the embodiment of FIG.1 attached to a conduit.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the connection shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the embodiment of FIG.1 in a quick connect relationship.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional end view of the embodiment of FIG.6.

FIG. 8 is a partially cross-sectional view showing the embodiment ofFIG. 6 attached to a conduit.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the connection shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the embodiment of FIG.6 in a quick connect relationship.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 a frontal view and a cross-sectional end viewof a first embodiment of the present invention are provided. This firstembodiment comprises an open ended, substantially rounded ring member 10which includes an outer surface 12, a radial surface 14, a center 15 andtwo flanges 16a and 16b which extend downwardly toward the center 15 ofthe ring member 10. The flanges 16a and 16b define inner surfaces 17aand 17b. The ring member 10 also includes two ends 18 and 20. The ringmember 10 is typically manufactured such that the ends 18 and 20naturally abut. The ring member 10 is formed of a highly resilientmaterial, such as high gauge steel, which imparts springycharacteristics and allows the ring member 10 to be selectivelydeformed. The ring member 10 defines an inner diameter 26.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a partial cross-sectional view and aperspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention areprovided showing the ring member 10 engaging the tubular conduit 30. Theconduit 30 defines an outer diameter 32, to position the ring member 10upon the conduit 30 a prying tool (not shown) is inserted between theends 18 and 20 and is rotated such that the ends are forced apart. Asthe ends are separated, the inside diameter 26 of the ring member 10becomes larger. This prying action is continued until the insidediameter 26 of the ring member 10 becomes greater than the outerdiameter 32 of the conduit 30 upon which the ring member 10 is to bemounted. The ring member 10 is then slid over the conduit and positionedfor attachment.

The conduit may be made of various different materials such as metal orplastic. Metal conduits generally must be formed with a pair of annulargrooves 34 prior to attaching the ring member 10. The grooves aretypically provided at the time the tubular conduit 30 is manufactured,although it is contemplated that grooves can be formed into the conduitwith a device such as a modified pipe cutting tool (not shown) some timeafter the manufacturing of the conduit and prior to attachment of ringmember 10. To attach ring member 10 the inner surfaces a 17a and 17b arealigned directly over the grooves 34 and the prying tool (not shown) isremoved. Removal of the prying tool causes the ring member 10 to springback towards its original position such that the ends 18 and 20 approacheach other. Ideally, the diameter of the conduit within grooves 34 willbe approximately equal to the diameter along the inner surfaces 17a and17b when the ring member 10 is closed, thereby allowing the ends 18 and20 to abut. The inner surfaces 17a and 17b fit securely within thegrooves 34 to preclude lateral movement of the ring member 10 along theconduit 30.

With tubular conduits formed of plastic many times it is not necessaryto supply the conduit with preformed annular grooves 34. The forcecreated by the ring member 10 as it springs back toward the closedposition is sufficiently great so as to cause the inner surfaces 17a and17b to become embedded within the outer diameter of the tubular conduit.Once the inner surfaces 17a and 17b have been embedded within the outerdiameter 32 of the tubular conduit 30, the tubular conduit can then beutilized with a connector assembly.

Referring to FIG. 5 a partial cross-sectional view showing the firstembodiment of the present invention as used in a quick-connectrelationship is provided. After the ring member 10 has been positionedupon the tubular conduit 30, the tubular conduit is inserted into a thefemale housing 40 to facilitate connection of the two fluid conveyingconduits. In the present example, a leading end 35 of the tubularconduit 30 is inserted into a the reduced diameter portion 42 of thefemale housing 40. A sealing ring 50 and bushings 52 and 54 are providedto limit the insertion forces on the connector assembly. A retainermember 56 is disposed within an enlarged diameter portion 46 of thefemale housing 40 to assist in selectively locking the tubular conduit30 within the female housing 40. The retainer member 56 is provided withblocking plates 58 which abut 9 flange 48 of female housing 40 at oneend and the flange 16b of the ring member 10 at the other end. Thisabutment of the first flange 16a by blocking plates 58 occurs when theflange 16a abuts a blocking wall 60.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7 a frontal view and a cross-sectional end viewof a second embodiment of the present invention is disclosed ascomprising an open ended, substantially rounded ring member having aninner surface 112, a radial surface 114, a center 115, and two flanges116a and 116b which extend upwardly away from the center 115 of ringmember 110. Again this ring member 110 is typically manufactured suchthat the ends 118 and 120 naturally abut. Between the inner surface 112and the radial surfaces 114 are curved surfaces 122a and 122b which,combined with the inner surface 112, limit the force exerted on theconduit (not shown). The inner surface 112 defines an inner diameter123. The ring member 110 is formed of a highly resilient material, suchas high gauge steel, which imparts springy characteristics and allowsthe ring member 110 to be selectively deformed.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9 a partial cross-sectional view and aperspective view of the second embodiment of the present invention areprovided showing the ring member 110 engaging a tubular conduit 130having an outer diameter 132. To position the ring member 110 upon theconduit 130 prying tool (not shown) is inserted between the ends 118 and120 and is rotated such that the ends 118 and 120 are forced apart. Asthe ends are separated the inner diameter 123 of the ring member 110becomes larger. This prying action is continued until the inner diameter123 of the ring member 110 becomes greater than the outer diameter 132of the conduit 130. The ring member 110 is then slid over the conduit130 and positioned for attachment. Again the tubular conduit 130 may bemade of various different materials such as metal or plastic. The metalconduits are generally formed with an annular groove 134 substantiallyequal in width to the width of the ring member 110 to be attached. Thegroove 134 can be provided at the time the conduit 130 is manufacturedor at a later time by using a modified pipe cutting tool (not shown). Toattach the ring member 110 the inner surface 112 is aligned directlyover the groove 134 and the prying tool (not shown) is removed. Removalof the prying tool causes the ring member 110 to spring back towards itsoriginal position such that the inner surface 112 engages the outerdiameter of the groove 134. Ideally, the outer diameter of the conduitwithin the groove 134 will be approximately equal to the inner diameterof the inner surface 112 when the ring member 110 is closed and the ends118 and 120 abut. Often with tubular conduits formed of soft plastic itis not necessary to supply the conduit with a preformed annular groove134. The force created by the ring member 110 as it springs back: towardthe closed position is sufficiently great to cause the inner surface 112to become embedded within the outer diameter of the soft plastic tubularconduit.

A partial cross-sectional view showing the second embodiment of thepresent invention as used in a quick connect relationship is provided inFIG. 10. The tubular conduit 130 having ring member 110 attached theretois inserted into the female housing 40 to facilitate connection of thetwo fluid conveying conduits as previously described with reference toFIG. 5.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the beadassemblies of the present invention may be utilized with a variety ofconnector and quick connector assemblies. While the above descriptionconstitutes the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it willbe appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification,variation and change without departing from the proper scope and fairmeaning of the accompanying claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of attaching a bead assembly to atubular conduit, the method comprising the steps of:(a) providing aselectively deformable ring member having a first end and a second end,an inner surface, an outer surface, an axially tubular portion, and apair of spaced apart radially projecting flanges having said tubularportion fitted therebetween, said ring member having a desired innerdiameter in an undeformed condition; (b) providing a tubular conduithaving an outer diameter and at least one annular groove; (c) expandingsaid ring member such that the ring member's inner diameter increases toa size greater than the tubular conduit's outer diameter by inserting atool between said first and second ends; (d) positioning said ringmember over said tubular conduit; and (e) removing said tool frombetween said first and second ends, whereby removing said tool frombetween said first and second ends allows said ring member to springback to its original position and said ring member after assembly onsaid tubular conduit returning to its undeformed inner diameter suchthat said inner diameter is less than said tubular conduit outerdiameter to attach said ring member to said tubular conduit.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein said flanges extend downwardly toward saidtubular conduit.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein said flanges becomeembedded within an annular groove to preclude lateral movement of saidring member along said conduit.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein saidflanges extend upwardly away from said conduit.
 5. The method of claim4, wherein the inner surface of said ring member becomes embedded withinan annular groove to preclude lateral movement of said ring member alongsaid conduit.
 6. A method of attaching a bead assembly to a tubularconduit, the method comprising the steps of:(a) providing a selectivelydeformable ring member having a first end and a second end, an innersurface and an outer surface and at least one projecting flange, saidring member having a desired inner diameter in an undeformed condition;(b) providing a deformable tubular conduit formed from a plastic; (c)expanding said ring member such that the ring's inner diameter increasesto a size greater than the tubular conduit's outer diameter by insertinga tool between said first and second ends; (d) positioning said ringmember over said tubular conduit; and (e) removing said tool frombetween said first and second ends, whereby removing said tool frombetween said first and second ends allows said ring member to springback to its original position and be embedded within the outer diameterof said tubular conduit and said ring member after assembly on saidtubular conduit returning to its undeformed inner diameter such thatsaid inner diameter is less than said tubular conduit outer diameter toattach said ring member to said tubular conduit.
 7. The method of claim6, wherein said at least one flange extends downwardly toward saidtubular conduit.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein said at least oneflange becomes embedded within the outer surface of said tubular conduitto form annular groove and thereby preclude lateral movement of saidring member along said conduit.
 9. The method of claim 6, wherein saidat least one flange extends upwardly away from said tubular conduit. 10.The method of claim 9, wherein the inner surface of said ring memberbecomes embedded within the outer surface of said tubular conduitthereby forming an annular groove and precluding lateral movement ofsaid ring member along said tubular conduit.